MSD is hiring: Associate Director - Creative Procurement in Rahway

Overview

Job Description: This role is responsible for regional category management and sourcing leadership of Creative, Digital Production & Publishing, and Medical Education within Marketing Procurement, focused on a global mindset through collaboration with Human Health business partners as well as regional and/or local sourcing professionals in a matrix organization.

The candidate will work with regional and local teams to support development and implementation of a sourcing strategy at a global level, leveraging a Supply Strategy Council framework, while leading key initiatives.

In addition, the candidate will be responsible to establish and lead cross-functional teams through the sourcing process and to provide strategy oversight for regional and/or local components of the category. Day-to-day responsibilities include identifying and managing key priorities: value creation, service delivery, fostering innovation, digitalization, and corporate social environmental responsibility. This role requires a service mindset.

This role is responsible and accountable for sustaining existing and developing new cooperation frameworks across three stakeholder groups:

• With Procurement Colleagues: Participates or leads teams of global, regional and local representatives to develop and implement strategic source plans and to ensure alignment on key initiatives and priorities for broader Marketing services categories. Act as a member of the team willing to carry out the mission and ensure input from all members is considered.
• With Business Partners: Identifies and engages with critical stakeholders and partners to define and meet or exceed business requirements and identify and manage savings targets. Understands strategic business requirements at 1, 3 & 5 year horizons. Acts as a trusted advisor to a wide range of business partners in the Marketing organization with the ability to influence and guide strategic decision making and the courage to challenge the status quo where appropriate.
• With Suppliers: Responsible for building relationships with Global, International and Enterprise suppliers and managing key supplier performance against business requirements using proven processes; ensures inclusion of diverse suppliers in RFPs and contracts as applicable. Supports major regional supplier relationships. Represents the Corporation to ensure the use of supplier core competencies, provides opportunities for sustainable growth, and optimizes spend.

Key activities are listed below. The degree and time dedicated to each activity will vary depending on category maturity and the strength and level of trust with suppliers and business partners.

Strategy Creation

Target: Definition and planning of high-level objectives targeted to long-term results that will impact how the Company views and purchases this category. This is the big-picture creation and entails active engagement with senior stakeholders and critical business members during the Sourcing Management Process.

Typical Activities: Meetings with stakeholders to discuss Sourcing Management Process strategic tools; participation in workshops and meetings during Sourcing Management Process; dialogue with Global Procurement related to Target; participation in Market Intelligence activities related to Target; data gathering and analysis related to Target; other activities that contribute to changing the status quo in pursuit of long-term competitive advantage.

Strategy Execution

Target: Implementation of tactical plans or projects directly linked to a strategy created during the course of Sourcing.

Typical Activities: Development, rollout and execution of RFIs/RFPs; process re-engineering with the business to modify or create processes aligned with strategic goals; dialogue with Global Procurement related to execution of strategic goals; other activities directly linked with the execution of strategic goals.

Operations

Target: Drive ongoing procurement activities not in connection with Sourcing Management Process or strategy creation/execution. This is the keep the lights on work, normally driven by daily/weekly requests from the business and procurement.

Typical Activities: Contract review/negotiations; PO issue resolution; creation of new vendors; supplier issue resolution; technology/process execution; data gathering and analysis leading to short/medium-term insights not in connection with the Sourcing Management Process or strategy creation/execution; transactions to sustain procurement function.

Supplier Relationship Management

Target: Design, planning and implementation of actions and projects in connection with Sourcing Management Process or strategic goals to develop, improve, sustain or reposition the Company’s relationships with critical/strategic suppliers.

Typical Activities: Development/participation in supplier forums or market organizations; dialogues with business partners and suppliers; review, analysis and negotiation of contracts; data gathering/analysis for insights related to Target.

Our Company's Leadership Standards applicable to the role include:

• Make Rapid, Disciplined Decisions - Make timely decisions at the right level with the right data and support them once made.
• Act with Courage & Candor - Speak openly and honestly with conviction; have the courage to take appropriate risks and make difficult decisions.
• Demonstrate Ethics & Integrity - Adhere to high ethical standards in all interactions; comply with laws, policies, and regulations; address ethical issues without hesitation.
• Foster Collaboration - Actively listen and seek to understand differing perspectives; work together to achieve common goals.
• Drive Results - Set clear performance standards; overcome obstacles; hold self and others accountable for results.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, procurement, or business administration.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years in strategic procurement, creative agency procurement, marketing or related role.
• Strong experience in digital production and publication working with various operational and commercial models.
• Strong analytical skills.
• In-depth subject matter expertise in the creative and production agencies or sourcing field and current in industry trends and best practices.
• Proven success in developing and executing global or regional creative sourcing strategies.
• Strong communications and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Proven ability to collaborate with a wide variety of individuals, including senior management, stakeholders, team members, other departments and suppliers.
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a dynamic environment (Preferred).

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Negotiating with creative/digital/marketing agencies of record.
• Advanced Microsoft Office suite experience.
• Knowledge of Decideware
• Knowledge of procurement sourcing tools.
• Knowledge of analytic dashboards.

Required Skills:

• Business Decisions
• Clinical Supply Chain Management
• Commercial Contract Negotiations
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Cost Reduction
• Creative Sourcing
• Driving Continuous Improvement
• Ethical Practices
• Global Mindset
• Inventory Control Management
• Logistics
• Management Process
• Manufacturing Sourcing
• Negotiation
• Operational Procurement
• People Leadership
• Procurement
• Production Planning
• Project Procurement Management
• Strategic Procurement
• Strategic Sourcing
• Supplier Improvement

Preferred Skills:

• Current Employees apply here
• Current Contingent Workers apply here

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only: We are an equal opportunity employer and provide accommodations if needed during the application process. See the EEOC rights statements for more information.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other legally protected characteristics. We comply with affirmative action requirements where applicable. Learn more about your rights and duties under U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws.

U.S. Hybrid Work Model: The policy outlines hybrid work expectations where applicable.

The salary range for this role is $126,500.00 - $199,100.00. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits (401(k)), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at the company site.

You can apply for this role through the company careers site or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee. The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

Travel Requirements: 25%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 11/11/2025

Note: A job posting is effective until 11:59:59 PM on the day before the listed job posting end date. Please apply by the day before the end date.